Examining the relationship between cultural heritage, urban sustainable development, and climate policy in mid-sized UNESCO World Heritage cities in Europe, this study focuses on Potsdam (Germany) and Bern (Switzerland). It explores the challenges and opportunities in integrating heritage management and urban climate governance, shedding light on the governance of world heritage cities and the need for systematic and comparative studies in this area.
The research highlights the progressive role of Potsdam and Bern in developing innovative climate policies, despite the absence of extreme weather events triggering the development of these policies. It underscores the significance of the UNESCO World Heritage status in shaping the urban vision and city branding, serving as a crucial asset that must be protected to preserve the city’s identity and economic function.
The study emphasizes the lack of comprehensive studies on world heritage cities and the potential synergies between urban cultural heritage and sustainable development. It suggests that findings on urban cultural heritage without UNESCO status could be combined with knowledge gained about world heritage cities to enhance urban sustainable development and climate policies.
This study provides valuable insights into the complexities of managing cultural heritage in the context of urban sustainable development and climate governance. It is a resource for professionals and enthusiasts in the field of European heritage, offering a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by mid-sized UNESCO World Heritage cities in Europe.
